Business
AFAN Expresses Optimism In 2015 Rice Sufficiency Target
National Technical
Adviser, All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Dr Tunde Arosanyin, has expressed optimism on the country’s ability to meet the 2015 target for self-sufficiency in rice production.
Arosanyin expressed the hope in an interview with newsmen in Abuja.
He said the efforts of the Federal Government and the farmers to meet the target were in the right direction and called on states and local governments to complement the efforts of the Federal Government to make the goal realistic.
“All hands must be on deck to ensure that the target is achieved. “The commercial farmers are coming up but we need to see more indigenous commercial farmers in rice production.
“Some of the states that have economic advantage on rice production should ensure they keyed into the Public Private Partnership (PPP) where there are so many agricultural investors.
“I really don’t see the need for Nigeria to be importing rice, maize, sugar or wheat; we must look inwards to salvage our economy. We must initiate how to become exporters of food items to reduce unemployment and also address the issue of food security,’’ he said.
The AFAN technical adviser urged state governments to create an enabling environment where farmers could exhibit their potentials to attract investors.
The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Akinwumi Adesina, had in 2013 said that Nigeria would be self-sufficient in rice production by 2015.
Adesina noted that the country, a major consumer and importer of rice in Africa, was spending over N1 billion daily and N356 billion annually on rice importation and insisted that the high import cost of rice must be reduced drastically.
It would be recalled that Dr Olukayode Oyeleye, the Special Assistant to the minister, said in 2013 that the Federal Government had provided quality seeds as well as other input to support rice farmers.
He said the country had begun a rice revolution and produced nearly 50 per cent of all its rice needs in just a year.
Business
Kenyan Runners Dominate Berlin Marathons
Kenya made it a clean sweep at the Berlin Marathon with Sabastian Sawe winning the men’s race and Rosemary Wanjiru triumphing in the women’s.
Sawe finished in two hours, two minutes and 16 seconds to make it three wins in his first three marathons.
The 30-year-old, who was victorious at this year’s London Marathon, set a sizzling pace as he left the field behind and ran much of the race surrounded only by his pacesetters.
Japan’s Akasaki Akira came second after a powerful latter half of the race, finishing almost four minutes behind Sawe, while Ethiopia’s Chimdessa Debele followed in third.
“I did my best and I am happy for this performance,” said Sawe.
“I am so happy for this year. I felt well but you cannot change the weather. Next year will be better.”
Sawe had Kelvin Kiptum’s 2023 world record of 2:00:35 in his sights when he reached halfway in 1:00:12, but faded towards the end.
In the women’s race, Wanjiru sped away from the lead pack after 25 kilometers before finishing in 2:21:05.
Ethiopia’s Dera Dida followed three seconds behind Wanjiru, with Azmera Gebru, also of Ethiopia, coming third in 2:21:29.
Wanjiru’s time was 12 minutes slower than compatriot Ruth Chepng’etich’s world record of 2:09:56, which she set in Chicago in 2024.
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